Russell’s love of competition brings him to Clay Courts

These ‘Wheels' don't come offRussell’s love of competition serves him well

DALE ROBERTSON, Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, April 4, 2010

Photo: Julio Cortez, Chronicle

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Continued support from his wife, Lilly, has given Michael Russell the opportunity for his career to blossom.

Continued support from his wife, Lilly, has given Michael Russell the opportunity for his career to blossom.

Photo: Julio Cortez, Chronicle

Russell’s love of competition brings him to Clay Courts

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It's too late for Michael Russell to make a fortune from tennis, given that he only recently surpassed $1 million in career earnings.

And his becoming famous — at least to an audience wider than the game's insiders — is also probably beyond his reach. Fortunately for Houston's only resident ATP touring professional, none of that matters to him.

The consummate player's player, the guy others always want to hit with because he chases down every ball like the Wimbledon title is at stake, Russell thrives on what might be called the blood, sweat and tears aspect of his solitary sport. It's about the competition for him, the small but noble daily battles.

Everything you need to know about Russell's competitive spirit can be found in his three nicknames. “Wheels.” “Iron Mike.” “Mussell.”

“The running, the hitting the tennis ball — I know this sounds so simplistic — I love that part,” he said. “It's a sport that's one-on-one. It's just you. It's like you're a gladiator out there. That's what keeps me playing.”

Age is irrelevant

Russell, 31, is the third-oldest player in the men's top 75. He would be the oldest American by far if German-born Tommy Haas, 32, hadn't recently become a citizen. But age, Russell says “is just a number” and for the moment, after a dozen oft-injury-plagued seasons on tour, he feels like a kid again.

Nothing hurts — he knocks on imaginary wood — and he's playing his best tennis.

“I've made some adjustments to my game, adding a slice backhand, and I'm in great shape,” he said. “I'm a smarter player. I've learned to shorten points, to seize my opportunities better. I still think I can take it to another level.”

Fighting through three knee operations that knocked him off the rails after he cracked the top 100 in 2001, Russell reached a career-best 60th in the ATP rankings in August 2007. But, 14 months later, he had tumbled to 345th as shoulder pain forced him to shut it down.

Unwilling to concede his career had run its course, he opted not to have surgery, instead rehabbing with Houston physical therapist Russ Paine.

Russell returns to the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship at River Oaks this week as the No. 8 seed. A year ago, he had to win three qualifying matches to earn the right to get knocked out by John Isner in the first round. But since then he has collected four more USTA Pro Circuit titles — with 22, he holds the all-time series record — while making noise in several ATP draws. Ranked 68th, he's honing in on the top 50.

Russell's most recent match — in the second round last week in Miami — was typical for him. At 5-8, he was spotting the towering Isner more than a foot, but he wound up losing without dropping his serve. Isner, the second seed in the Clay Courts, clawed to a three-set win by taking two tense tiebreakers.

Tireless at practice

Was Russell disappointed? Of course. Was he discouraged? He doesn't understand the concept. On Wednesday, he was back at work preparing for his “home” tournament, practicing all-out for three hours against Serbian pro Dusan Vemic. The River Oaks stadium was empty except for a reporter and Russell's parents, George and Carole.

His mother calls Russell “our hero” because of his work habits, determination and give-no-quarter attitude on the court.

“The guys still hate to play him,” his father said, “because they know he's always going to give it everything he's got.”